Slot-type diffuser control valve



July 16, 1968 RAlDER ET AL 3,392,656

SLOT-TYPE DIFFUSER CONTROL VALVE Filed oct- 17, 1966 2 Sheets-$heet 1 I N VENTORS BY aim." M 2%.; 0 VWATTORNEYS July 16, 1968 G. K. RAIDER ET AL 3,392,656

SLOT'TYPE DIFFUSER CONTROL VALVE Filed Oct. 17, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Li. S l

E] K D m W {U l\ {U m IE] CI'EI DCMI 'FU I] U DMD U I] III [ME] I] E! ELW' IU m a Z 4 ATTORNEYS Ueie Saws Patent '0" SLOT-TYPE DIFFUSER CONTROL VALVE George K. Raider, Forest Park, and Edmund J. Little, Schiller Park, Ill., assignors to The Pyle-National Compa'n'y, Chicago, 111., a corporation of New Jersey a Filed Oct. 17, 1966, Ser. No. 587,062

Claims. '(Cl..9840) This invention relates generally to air diffusion app-aratus and more particularly relates to a slot-type diffuser of the type intended to completely isolate the supply or return air from the lamp cavity of a troffer light in a false ceiling, the slot-type diffuser being particularly characterized by a slide valve assembly utilizing a valve base and a valve slide relatively slid'able with respect to one another to. match and mismatch a series of apertures, thereby tocontrol the volume flow of air through the diffuser."

It isfurthercontemplated that a pivoted vane adjacent l the slotcontrol air flow direction through the diffuser. .One of the important architectural improvements in recent years has been to combine both lighting and air distribution in a single false ceiling construction. In order to achieve such a combination while completely isolat ingthe' supply or return air from the lamp cavity, there has been provided heretofore slot diffusers adapted to be assembled with air handling troffers.

' QIn accordance with the principles of the present inven- 3,392,656 Patented July 16, 1

control means of the present invention is shown by. way of illustrative example. 0n the drawings;

FIGURE 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic view showing a troffer light with a saddle-type slot diffuser provided in accordance with the principles of the present inven-. tion and suspended in the framework of a false ceiling of an architectural structure;

FIGURE 2 is a broken side elevationafview of the slot-type diffuser incorporated in the structure of FIG- .FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line III-III of FIGURE 2;

.FIGURE 4 is a plan elevational view of a valve base member incorporated in the valve slide assembly;

FIGURE 5 is a plan elevational view of the valve slide incorporated in the valve slide assembly; and j I 1 FIGURES 6 and 7 are fragmentary views of the valve base and valve slide subassembly showing different positions of adjustment with the apertures matched and mismatched for effecting volume control.

As shown on the drawings:

Although the principles of the present invention are of general utility in air flow means, a particularly useful application is made to a slot-type diffuser designed to completely isolate the supply or return air from the lamp cavity of a troffer light in a false ceiling of an architectural structure.

Thus, as shown in FIGURE 1, a main ceiling of an architectural structure is shown generally at 10 and there is suspended therefrom by means of wires 11 a grid formed by T rail members 12. It will be understood that the openings in the grid are closed by panels constituting acoustical panels or troffer light fixtures or air handling troffers, depending upon the lighting and ventilating requirements of the space.

tion, such a slot diffuser is provided and it is contemplated that a greatly improved means of regulating and directing air flow is incorporated in the slot diffuser construction. In accordance with this invention a slide valve assembly is provided utilizing two elongated plate members, one of which is permanently assembled with the slot diffuser and functions as a valve base while a compleinentaryinember operates as a valve slide overlying the base" in"slidable relation therewith. By virtue of such provision, both platesma'y beprovided with a series of apertures or perforations which may be selectively matched or mismatched by simply adjusting; the valve slid'eand the valve base through a rather limited length of adjustment. Thus, volume flow will be adjusted throughout the length of the entire elongated fixture. The slotdiffuser is also providedwith a directional flow flap which is pivotally ,mountedadjacent the slot thereby to control the direction of air flow through the slot.

It js an object of the present invention, therefore, to

provide an improved means of regulating and directing air flow in a slot-.typediffuser.

An'other 'ob'jectpf the. present invention is to provide airflow. regulating means for a slot-type diffuser wherein regulationbccurs throughout the length of the elongated fixture.

Many other features, advantages and additional objects of the present invention will become manifest to those versednin the art upon making reference to the detailed description which follows and the accompanying sheets of drawingsin which a preferred structural embodiment of a slot-type diffuser incorporating the improved flow In FIGURE 1 there is shown a troffer light 13 having flanges 14 adapted to be supported by the corresponding flanges on the T rails 12. In accordance: with the present invention, a slot diffuser shown generally at 16 straddles the fixture housing of the troffer light 13 and rests on the flanges 14. The flanges may be provided with suitable air discharge apertures through which air is supplied or returned into or from the subjacent space.

Referring to FIGURES 2 and 3 in conjunction with FIGURE 1, it will be noted that the saddle-type slot diffuser is applicable to all air handling troffers, regardless of size or manufacture and the diffuser straddles the fixture housing and rests on the flanges so that a separate diffuser of elongated configuration extends almost coextensively with the length of the troffer light 13 and a crossover shown at 17 interconnects the two plenum chambers, thereby permitting both slot-type diffusers to be interconnected with the air circuit of a ventilating system. Each of the slot-type diffusers is identical in con struction and only a detailed description of one is necessary for purposes of this invention disclosure.

The diffuser 16 includes end walls 18 and 19 which are spaced apart longitudinally and side walls 20 and 21 which are spaced apart transversely thereby to form an elongated diffuser cavity which is characterized by formation in the lower portion thereof of an elongated slot 22.

At the upper end of the wall 20, there is an offset portion 23 forming a shoulder, abutting a leg of a valve base member shown generally at 24. The wall 21 has at its upper portion an offset portion which. angles upwardly and inwardly as at 26. Thus, the valve base member 24 has a first leg 27 which is offset at right angles so that the end of the leg 27 abuts against the shoulder 23 and the side of the leg engages against the upwardly extending portion 28 which is actually integral with the leg 20. The valve base member 24 has a second leg 29 which is offset to angle upwardly and inwardly at an angle complementary to the angularity of the wall 26. Thus, the valve base member 24 may be connected in firm assembly with the diffuser by spot welding the legs 27 and 29 to the corresponding adjoining wall portions of the diffuser and the valve base member 24 will thus overlie the slot 22 in vertically spaced relation relative thereto.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a valve slide member is provided as shown at 30. The valve slide member has a leg 31 which is offset at 90 and extends upwardly to lie adjacent the wall 28. At the opposite sides thereof the valve slide has a second leg 32 which is offset angularly at the same angle as the leg 29. The valve slide member 30 is sized and shaped to be received in nested sliding relation with the valve base member 24.

As will be noted upon making specific reference to FIGURES 4 and 5, the valve base member 24 and the valve slide member 30 are each characterized by the formation therein of a row of longitudinally spaced apertures which are adapted to be matched and mismatched with respect to one another, thereby to effect air flow volume control. In this particular embodiment, the apertures constitute rectangles or squares, the apertures formed in the valve base member being shown at 33 and the apertures formed in the valve slide member being shown at 34. In each instance, the apertures 33 and 34 alternate with spaced lands 36 and 37 respectively. The valve slide member is made slightly shorter than the valve base member, thereby to accommodate relative sliding movement of the slide member 30 in a longitudinal direction.

In order to facilitate ready actuation of the valve slide member 30, there is provided a control arm 40. One end of the control arm 40 is received in the valve slide member 30 through a centrally disposed slot 41 and the end thereof is offset as at 42 and secured in firm assembly to the valve slide member 30.

The valve base member 24 is provided with a larger centrally disposed slot 43 which passes the control arm 40, thereby permitting relative sliding movement for adjustment of the valve slide member 30 relative to the valve base member 24. The control arm 40 then extends through the diffuser in a vertical direction and has an offset actuating portion 44 at the end thereof which is disposed in an accessible position adjacent the slot 22 for convenient manipulation by an operator seeking to effect adjustment of the slide valve apparatus.

The wall portions 28 and 29 of the diffuser extend upwardly to form a plenum chamber 46. Thus, the slide valve assembly is interposed between the plenum chamber 46 and the slot 22 and operates to control air volume flow therebetween.

To provide a duct connection with the plenum chamber 46, there is provided a transversely extending side entry 47 (FIGURE 3) which may be connected by means of a flexible duct 48 (FIGURE 1) to the air circuit of a ventilating system.

A mounting bracket 49 is connected by means of a fastener 50 to the upper portion of the diffuser in the event a single diffuser unit is employed. If a dual diffuser arrangement is contemplated, the mounting bracket 49 and the corresponding upper portion of the plenum chamber shown at 51 is removed and the crossover duct 17 is substituted.

In order to maintain the slide valve assembly in adjusted positions, there is provided a continuous biasing means which takes the form of a coil spring having one end bottomed against the underside of the valve base member 24 and having the other end connected as at 61 to the control arm 40.

In order to provide complete directional control, a positioning deflector is shown at comprising a vane which is generally coextensive in length with the slot 22 4 and which is connected by means of a piano hinge 71 to the wall 20 of the diffuser. The vane may be adjusted in order to give air directional control from horizontal to vertical pattern since it is positioned immediately superjacent the slot 22 and will serve to bafiie the flow of air through the diffuser.

In operation, the adjustment of the direction of air flow and the volume of air flow can readily be accomplished through ready access at the slot 22. The control arm 40 may be longitudinally shifted, thereby to match or mismatch the apertures 33 and 34 and a simple and effective air volume control adjustment may be effected. Such adjustments can be made without opening the frame of the troffer light. Furthermore, by a-djustably positioning the vane 70, complete directional control is accomplished with the positioning deflector 70.

Although minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that We wish to embody Within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of our contribution to the art.

We claim as our invention:

1. In combination with a ceiling of a space to be ventilated having a false ceiling formed with at least one opening therein and being spaced subjacent a main ceiling of an architectural structure,

a trolfer light in said opening and supported by said false ceiling,

a slot-type air diffuser adjacent said trotfer light and being coextensive in length therewith,

said diifuser comprising,

end wall spaced longitudinally and side walls spaced transversely extending between said end walls and together therewith forming a narrow air outlet passage terminating in a slot at the lower portion thereof adapted to be disposed at the level of said false ceiling alongside said troifer light,

and means forming a plenum chamber having a port for connection to an air circuit of a ventilating system and being connected to an upper portion of said diffuser,

and a slide valve in said diffuser comprising elongated plate members forming a valve base connected to said walls and coextensively overlying said slot in spaced relation thereto between said plenum chamber and said slot,

a valve slide overlying said valve base and slidably related thereto,

said valve slide and said valve base each having a row of apertures formed therein adapted to be matched and mismatched selectively to adjustably control the volume flow of air through said diffuser, and means to slidably adjust said valve slide. b 2. The invention of claim 1 and further characterized said means to slidably adjust said valve slide comprisirllg a control arm connected at one end to said valve side,

said valve base having a slot formed therein through which said control arm extends, the other end of said control arm extending through said slot towards an accessible portion adjacent said slot for actuation by an operator, said other end being movable lineally whereby movement of said control arm in the direction of desired slide valve motion will correspondingly open said valve.

3. The invention of claim 2 and further characterized by a coil spring connected to said control arm and bottomed against said valve base to continuously bias said valve slide and maintaining selected positions 5 of adjustment between said valve slide and said valve base.

4. The invention of claim 1 and further characterized by a vane hingedly connected to one of said side Walls of said diffuser adjacent said slot and pivotally adjustable to selectively vary the directional flow of air through said slot.

5. The invention of claim 1 and further characterized by a slot diiTuser on each side of said troifer light and a crossover duct interconnecting the respective plenum chambers of both of said slot diffusers.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Darbo 9840 Kruger 9840 Ericson 98-40 Straub 98-40 Person 98-40 ROBERT A. OLEARY, Primary Examiner. W. E. WAYNER, Assistant Examiner. 

